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About The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

In the United States, there are Sports Halls of Fame that honor professional and amateur athletes in football, basketball, track, tennis, baseball and other sports. There are also ethnic halls of fame that recognize outstanding athletes from different groups including Italian, Jewish, Irish and blacks to name a few. But, there was not a single sports hall of fame that would recognize, honor and salute the outstanding accomplishments/achievements and contributions of our Latino/Hispanic Sports Heritage not only from the United States but also those who came to this country from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Central and South America and from the vast talent from the Caribbean Islands. The Latin-American International Sports Hall of Fame/Salon de Ia Fama Latinoamericano del Deporte was organized in Laredo, Texas in 1974. At first it was to celebrate, honor and promote local and regional individuals who had excelled at their particular sport but soon it opened the doors to include National and International Professional Athletes. It also recognizes as Sportsman of the Year individuals who continue to preserve and enhance our Latino culture, values and educational opportunities for our youth and who contribute to the betterment of the City of Laredo and South Texas. There have been since its inception an equal recognition of women athletes inductees. It was important to find role models for our youth and the organizers wanted to include all ages, regardless of sex in their programs. The Latin Hall was also created to promote economic development and stimulate business activity in downtown Laredo when local businesses are contracted to provide services to our inductees, their families and guests who visit Laredo during the annual 3-day welcome reception, media luncheon and induction banquet celebration weekend. Through the years. (1975-2014), and with limited amount of funds the organization has, had the opportunity to help the youth of our community with scholarships and other youth activity fundraisers. Plans are to have a Latin Sports International Hall of Fame Museum (downtown) (soon) which will be a first for the United States and to provide clinics (free of charge) to instruct our youth in different sports.

Mission

The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1975 to recognize individuals with good and proper standing in the community, high morals and values and who have excelled in sports and/or have contributed to the promotion of sports and goodwill in the Latino community.


Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame

47th Annual Induction Banquet

Julian "Kiki" DeAyala

Julian "Kiki" DeAyala


Football Captain
Univ. of Texas Longhorns -All Southwest Conference
Cotton Bowl Champions 1982
Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)- Arena Ventures


Julian "Kiki" DeAyala has been involved in sports since childhood. He was tennis champion
when he lived in Rio de Janeiro and an outstanding athlete in high school; in football he was a
three year lcnerman, All District, All Greater Houston, Blue Chip List as Linebacker and a Captain
of the team and in ba seball was a two year letterman and All Di strict selection.
Mr. DeAyala attended the Univcr ity of Texas at Austin. At Texas. Mr. DcAyala played defensive
end and was a three year letterman. During hi s college career he played in the following bowls and
All Star games: Sun Bowl 1979, Bluebonnet Bowl 1980, Cotton Bowl 1982, Sun Bowl 1982. ln
1981 he received the following honors, All Southwest Conference Second Team, Southwest Air
lines Player of the Game against Houston and Player of the Game against Texas A & M. ln 1982,
Mr. DeAyala was named captain of the Longhorn Football team and earned the following honors
and distinctions, 1st Team All Southwest Conference, Southwest Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year, All American Third
Team, Three-time Conference Player of the Week, six times he was chosen "Texas Player of the Game'', University of Texas "Tenacity''
Award, Texas Exes "MYP" Award and ABC Chevrolet Player of the Game vs. Arkansas. During his career at the University of Texas
Kiki DeAyala set 6 team records which sti ll stand today.- His records include All Time Texas Leader in quarterback sacks for a season
with 22 1/2, as well as career sacks with 40 1/2; All Time Longhorn record holder for most tackles for lost yardage in a season with 33
and for a career with 60; All Time Longhorn record holder for most quarterback pressures with 56 for a season and 117 for a career.
After college, Mr. DeAyala was drafted by both the NFL and USFL. He opted to be the first player to sign with the Houston
Gamblers and where he played for 2 seasons, was Team Captain and earned All Pro honors in each year. Mr. DeAyala played for 2
seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, endi ng his football career in 1987.
Kiki DeAyala is CEO and part owner and with his partners in Arena Ventures most recent project,
The Laredo Entertainment Center opened in October of 2002. This $35.5 million dollar, state of the art, multi-purpose facility, is the
largest Arena in South Texas, and has hosted over 100 events their firs t year. The LEC is home to the Laredo Bucks Hockey franchise
and af2 Football franchise , The Bucks were named 2002-2003 "Franchise of the Year" in the CHL.
The LEC has turned Laredo into a world class, entertainment destination and has affected every Laredoan's quality of life.